Chapter 3: Firefox leaves

I was sitting in the sunshine outside the stable carving a horse figurine out of a piece of wood. I scraped the soft wood with my knife, littering the lush grass with shavings. As I carved, I thought of Roth. I knew that wasn't her real name, so I found myself inventing names for her. They were all rather silly, and didn't seem serious or feminine enough. Just then, the sound of boots swishing through the grass caught my attention. I glanced up, and saw Firefox ambling towards me. He was not wearing a shirt, he was carrying it instead.

"Stable girl" he called. I felt butterflies stir in my stomach.

"Yes, sir?"

"Can you have our horses saddled within the hour?"

"Yes."

"Good girl." He smiled fleetingly. It took all my might to keep form searching his body with my eyes.

"You may call me Appy." I said, nibbling my bottom lip.

"Alright, Appy. And you may call me Firefox." He grinned, and followed me into the barn.

"Beautiful day" I said, trying to ease the tension in my own throat. Firefox moaned.

"Yes it is." I heard the swish of clothing, and turned just in time to see him pull his uniform on; a shiny green tunic with the Adderhead's coat of arms emblazed on the front. "I can help you saddle the horses." And so he did. We each picked different animals to place the heavy leather saddles on. The last horse was Hickabuck. Firefox stood on one side of the horse, I on the other. "Pass me the girth" he mumbled. I slid the leather band under the horse's belly, and gasped as Firefox's hand brushed against mine. His skin was soft and warm. "You are a beautiful girl-" he started, buckling up the girth "-so why do you disguise yourself as a boy?"

"My boss makes me" I said, my stomach alive with butterflies.

"He fears you'll be violated?" Asked the young man.

"Er, sure." I nearly vomited from sheer excitement.

"I see. Probably best that way." There was a pause, and Firefox came to my side of the horse.

"How did you know I was a girl?" I murmured, looking into the man's hazel eyes.

"Your face" he mumbled, tapping his own chin with his index finger.

"Oh." I didn't know what to say. "Thank you." Firefox laughed. "So you're leaving?"

"I'm afraid so." He shrugged one shoulder.

"…oh." I couldn't hide my disappointment.

"But I'm sure we'll meet again." He smiled cutely, and kissed my forehead. I said nothing, but watched as he led his horse out of the barn.

A/N: Come on… the review button is right there… you don't need an account to share a word or two… I accept anonymous reviews :D